Where was God in the Tsunami?

A few weeks ago, a great Christian Scholar came to Kensington Community Church to answer the question "Where was God in the Tsunami?" Here is a brief summary of his response.

He opens the speech by opening the discussion not just to the tsunami but all evil in the world. He asks questions like: How could an "all good and all powerful God, create a world that is for a good many people a nightmare that they cannot awake?" How can the world be so evil, if God could stop it if he wanted to stop it?

He goes on to talking about the Universe, looking at the stars he realizes that there is a good, but he cannot believe in a God that allows the nightmare of "meaningless bloodshed" to continue on earth. He can only believe in a God that is on the "inside" of the human condition, not just sitting in heaven looking down. Then he heard a voice that said, "what kind of God do you think Christianity preaches, that is what the cross is all about?" God became a human, and died a hellish death, therefore God is not somewhere "up there" he is in "the mess." This means the problem of evil is a problem for us and for God since he has experienced that. This act by God, is one thing that separates Christianity from other religions.

Traditional answer of Why Evil Exists:

God has a specific God and divine reason for everything that happens in this world. If God is all powerful, he says he could stop it if he wanted to, but he chooses not to. If he is all good, then it must be a good thing that he does not intervene. It must be a good thing that a child was raped in the basement. Greg does not buy this. He quotes The Brothers Caramasa that says "Any cause that requires the sacrificing of children to glorify God, you have a moral obligation to not accept it." Greg feels it tarnishes God's character, and makes him not all good. Also, it does not run in harmony with free will. If all we do is part of "God's plan" we must not have free will.

Next answer
1. God is a God of Love. Love Love Love Love Love.

Sound reasonable I can buy that.

2. Love requires choice. Angels and Humans have free will. Love cannot be pre programmed.
If someone is preprogrammed, the deeds are not morally virtuous.

He then goes on to talk about his wife. He say if he could control his wife with a micro chip, and it makes her be the perfect wife, would it be genuine love? Since she has not other option to do the opposite the acts are not loving. He says since he programmed the micro chip, he is only loving himself. It is better to have imperfect love than preprogrammed love. Love requires a person to choose it.

3. God gave angles and humans distinct domains of responsibility.

We have say so. What we choose impacts the world. We are responsible to each other. We can love and harm others.

4. In genesis God gave humans and Angels the responsibility of earth. What we do impacts the world and the animal kingdom.

5. When a free agent misuses free will, all that they are responsible for suffers.

African proverb, "when the elephants fight, the grass suffers." Then he says when politicians have an affair, the country suffers, international relations suffer. We impact whatever is below us.

Why does God not just take free will away?
Revise the wife's microchip, it will not control if she loves him, but it will stop her from doing things unloving. It is no different than the original. If we can only choose one way, it is not free will.

6. Nature as we find it, is not as God created it. Nature is corrupt due to angelical abuse.

Satan was the angel entrusted with all of matter. When he rebelled against God, during this epic, matter itself is corrupted. "If the world was not was not a fallen place besieged by enemy forces, we would not have earthquakes and tsunami's."

1. Genesis 1-3 Nature was not as it is right now. It had no violence. The whole animal kingdom was not red and tooth and claw, they would all eat vegetation in a peaceful world.

2. New Testament. Romans 8 The entire creation groans like a woman in labor pains. Waiting for the time when God restores things to the way they should be. Nothing is as it should be. Every square inch of the cosmos is claimed by Satan and God, and nothing is as it should be.
Where did we get the idea that there is a standard that transcends nature?

3. Hebrew 2 14 Satan is the lord of death. Keys to death. Everything is winding down. In the end all energy will be used up and the universe will reach equilibrium. We decay, we get older, we are in a losing game, natural now, not natural in New Testament. Death was not part of the design. No reason why we are winding down, and not going in the other direction.

4. Jesus is the son of God. ( a lot of good reasons he cannot get into now) All of it actually happened. Jesus diagnosed illness and diseases as being in demonic in origin. He never said, "God has a plan, this is part of God's plan." He called them victims of demons. You were not meant to be like this. As a race we are being whipped flogged and oppressed, that is why people are sick and deformed.

5. Jesus rebukes thunder storm Mark 5. Treats it like a demon. Storms like that are not part of God's plan.

6. Curses a baron fig tree. Not the season for figs, but got one anyway.
Showed, in original creation, there will be plenty of food, famine is a direct result of the earth being sieged by demonic influence.

Ultimate Explanation.

The world is a warzone. Good cannot be explained without acknowledging God. Bad cannot be explained.
God is to put an end to this war. D Day Died on the cross.
Growing a army of light
Promise of new testament in the end God will win and Satan will loose and his reign will be forever.

I feel what Greg did here, was to take a relatively small thing like a tsunami and explain it by putting it into context of the eternal fight over "every inch of the cosmos" between God and Satan. By creating this bigger story, it is easy to explain the smaller.

I see it as one more debate between religious and science. Religion says the tsunami happened because of the war between Satan and God. Science can explain the shifting of plates, and the displacement of water that goes along with that.

In "What God Wants" Neale Donald Walsch gives an other answer. Is it possible that nuclear underground testing by India, could have somehow impacted the balance that exists between plates. This is not to say that it was the cause, but I do not think that it is out of the realm of possibilities that it impacted that balance in some way. This idea is in line with Greg's point that what we do, impacts the earth. That is pretty obvious. I can take a shovel and dig a whole in the back yard and see that my actions impacted the earth. But on a larger scale like the tsunami, global warming and the depletion of the rainforest, polluting of oceans rivers and lakes, that impact of humans (not angels) is clearly seen.

I feel to write this off as demonic influence is completely crazy. I would rather believe in answer 1 that it is part of God's plan, rather than we are in a warzone between God and Satan. In reality he gave no explanation at all, what he is asking is for people to believe his mythic story of good vs. Evil on a universal scale. When you do that, the tsunami is small potatoes.

The next segment of his speech was a question and answer with the audience. He again went on to discuss personal experiences he has had with demons. I can explain this no other way than this. You find what you are looking for. I truly believe if you want something bad enough, and hold that thought in your mind you will find it. It doesn't matter if it is wanting to join the Mafia, or wanting to find a new path to enlightenment. If ones wants to find it, you will.

Update

So its been a long while since I have updated this thing.

First things first, the job. I am working for Global Parts Service Inc. It is an internet company that specialzies in hard to find parts for production machines. I am the accountant for the company. The craziest thing about the job is that I am 4th in command. A week into it I had this feeling like this is what I was born to do. There are so many crazy things to talk about where do I start.

First, what I am doing doesn't feel like work. I know people always say that if you love your job then it shouldn't feel like work. I look at all the other jobs I have had and realize how much more physical work it was. What I am doing is not the hard part at all. I don't pursue business, I don't have to ship parts, I really dont do all the much work, I guess that's why it doesn't feel like it.

Second, Gary. Gary is number one in charge. He was the one that bought the assets from the bank and got Tom and Paula on board to try and revive what was the old business. He is a very busy guy and I think if I was ever to watch my dad in action at work when he was with GM, the two of them would be very similar. He knows this is my first "real job" and loves to say "they didn't teach you that in business school, did they?" any time he can. Although he can get very intense when he is on the phone, he has been a very easy boss to work for.

Third Paula, Paula is the sales person down in Indiana. She is the one that sends me all the info I need to do my part. She is funny.

Fourth, Tom. Tom was the President of the old company. I met him one day when I went out to Saline to get a glimps of the inventory first hand. He is a good guy. When I was out there we got into a big "new age" discussion at lunch. I was happy to find out that he has a good head on his shoulders since it could be very difficult to go what he has gone through the last few years. His old company was at one point a 16 Million dollar a year company, and within 3 years went bankrupt. Talk about a reality check. Pretty crazy. He talked about the perfection in his life and that he knows everything happens for a reason. I also feel he is glad to have Gary come in and let him continue doing what he likes to do.

Fifth, I kinda feel like the big brother to Paula and Tom. Sometimes they go through me if they don't want to talk to Gary directly. Or if they want to get a feel for how Gary thinks things are going. I find that funny because I am the lowly new guy.

Sixth, the money. It it rediculous. I added up how much I will make in Feb and took out what my bills are and at the end I was left with A LOT OF MONEY. I guess most people wouldn't consider it to be that much, but for never having money before to having lots its pretty sweet.

I always looked at being out here in MI as a second education. I really feel that this job is giving me that. So long as the business stays in the black, I will have a great opprotunity to learn a lot. I always felt like someone just needed to give me a chance. I feel Gary has done that, and I feel I am not letting him down. When I was in Junior High School I had a lead role in the school play. A few weeks into rehersals the directors took me aside and said "we don't know what happened, your audition was so good, you belong in this role, but right now we're just not seeing it." It was a kick in the pants for me to start DOING it. Not just going through the motions, but really DOING it. I remembered that story just before I started this job, I knew I couldn't just go in there and wait for him to give me things to do, or have him show me how to do everything. I had to do it and so far so good.

In other news, Rachael's friend Krystle is currently in Hawaii going to school. For Rachael's bday I am getting her a ticket to go see her. Since I have been out here I really have ahad little money and although there was never a time when i said "hey Rachael, can I borrow 500 bucks" there were a lot of times where she picked up little things here and there. So when you put everything all together, she gets to go to Hawaii.

I think that is all for now
later

adam

Saw this on Ryan's Blog

Name: Adam Chamberlain
Sex: male
Location: Ferndale MI
Birthday: February 15, 1981
Age: 23
Martial Status: Single

Occupation: Guitar Center, H&R Block, MMH Industries, and Woodbury Auto Sales
Eye Color: Blue

Last Person You-
Kissed: Rachael
Hugged: Rachael
Talked to on the phone: Kira
Talked to online: Rachael

Fought With: hmm
Drove With: Rachael

The Friend that-
Makes you laugh most: Grasso
Argues with you a lot: Betsy
Couldn't live without: Jo Ann Pun, always seems to be there when I need someone the most. Amazes me everytime.
Gives good advice:
Calls you most: Ben was the last friend that called me, Meaghan called me too. Other than that, I do most of the calling while driving to and from work.
Knows you the best: Chris Derham

Do you perfer-
Black/Blue: blue
Cold/Hot: cold
Hug/Kiss: kiss
Food/Drink: drinking
Liquor/Beer: beer or beis
Sun/Snow: Snow, by far.
City/Town: Town

Whats your favorite-
Store: Guitar Center, Borders, EBGames
Saying:
Shoe: I had some pretty sweet Converse Kevin Johnson’s back in the day. But presently the Birks will take it.
Sport: Snowboarding
Food: American Flat Bread, Mashed Potatoes
Song:
Band/Singer: Rebecca Correia

Car: Malibu Maxx would fit my needs, or the Pontiac Vibe
Color: blue
Place: Burlington Waterfront, Church St., Sugarbush,
Time of year: Xmas
Day: Currently Tuesday is my only day off, but Wednesday is date night. Tough call.

Have you ever
Been in Love: yes
Kissed the same sex: nope
Regretted a relationship: no
Been in a car accident: with a mail box, it was no match for the Tahoe.

What's Your-
Biggest fear: Having no money.

Ok on to the NEXT ONE!
FAVORITE
gum: Big Red

restaurant: American Flat Bread, VPB, Johnny Rockets, Charlie Giottos (St. Louis)
drink: water, long trail
emotion: happy
late night activity: sleep
city: Burlington

WHAT WAS THE LAST...
word you said: ‘night
thing you ate: Cheesecake
song you listened to: Bungalo Bill
thing you drank: Water

HAVE YOU EVER...
danced in the rain: You Bet

kissed someone: yes
done drugs: on occasion, not lately
slept around: nope
partied till the sun came up: Karren’s Bday Party
had a movie marathon: LORT Extended version count?
gone too far on a date: don’t think so

MORE ABOUT ME...
the last four digits of phone #: 0375
ever almost died: couple times
next cd you want to buy: Rebecca Correia “Miss You” (IF IT EVER COMES OUT!!!!!)
if you could change one thing, what would it be: No Stress
where do you shop the most: Costco
number of kids you want to have: 2
shampoo: Right now I am using a hotel sample of Nutregina

what are you most scared of:
do you sleep with a stuffed animal: no
who is your loudest friend: Grasso
who is your quietest friend: I guess I am the quiet one
LOVE
love is: fun
my first love: Ali
my current date:
love or lust: Love
best love song: Austin
PLAY
im feeling: Good. I got a Job.
im listening to: The hum of the refigerator
im doing: well
im talking to: everyone reading this

im craving: sleep
im thinking of: bed
im hating: having to tell Vince I quit

WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU...
cried: Couple weeks ago.
played a sport: too long ago
laughed: today lunch was pretty funny
hugged someone: 20 Minutes ago
kissed someone: 20 Minutes Ago
felt depressed: hmm well I got a job Thursday so I will say Wednesday.
felt overworked: hmm 6 days a week, 3 days working 9am to 10 pm. Right now!
faked sick: Haven’t had a job long enough to

OPPOSITE SEX
turn ons: Fun, Brown Hair/Blue Eyes
do your parents opinion significantly matter: not really
what kind of hairstyle: Whatever looks good
where do you meet new people: haven’t met new people in a while.

are you the type to holla and ask for a number: no

WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU
danced with: Rachael
shared a secret with:
had a sleepover with: Rachael
called: Kira… answered this one already
went to a movie with: Rachael

were angry with: Randy

Sweet im done… time to go to bed.

Conversation

I talked to Jo Ann the other night. She is my reiki teacher. I hadn't talked to her in a very long time and I am very grateful I had the chance to say hello.

It was interesting telling her my latest news. Its like this almost, reliving what happened. Sometimes life goes by so fast, when you stop to catch people up you learn a lot about yourself.

I told her about how I came to Michigan and then about the whole job saga. I have definitely had my share of rough days out here, so it was good to get a new positive prospective. Along with advice and the willingness to help in anyway she can, I guess it is just nice to know someone cares.

I told her how good it was to hear the positive words she had for me, and how she always seems to be able to say the right thing at the right time. She made a comment about how I have here imprint (since she was the one to attune me.)

This conversation started what would be a very interesting week.

I called H&R Block on Monday to follow up about working there this tax season. They called back on Wednesday and said that I was signed up for Orientation Thursday morning. The also went ahead to schedule me for 9 more orientation sessions, meaning Mondays and Fridays will be 9am to 10pm workdays. Fun times.

So I go to H&R Thursday morning and do the orientation thing, and once the presentation stuff was done I had a chance to talk with David Rayall a little bit more. When I asked him about the new commission equation he looked at my numbers from last year and said "Damn, you had a good year last year.'' He was very surprised to say the least. This did not sit well considering I had hoped on nearly doubling my output this year. He said he will do what he can to put me in a busy location so that I can have a chance to at least get near what I did last year. We will see what happens.

I also asked him about a clause in the employee contract which states that I can not offer bookkeeping services while I am employed by H&R Block. I asked him if that meant there are Bookkeeping services the block offers. He said that is what that means and also that there is a bookkeeping position open in Dearborn which is not too far away. I have a name and number to call but have not done it yet.

That was pretty much all the Block news for now.

At GC we had a monthly meeting. Vince talked a lot about what it means to work at Guitar Center. He talked about how "every musician wants to work at guitar center." He said now is the time to prove to him why he hired us. Lots of tough questions and looking inside yourself type stuff. It didn't really affect me all that much, so I guess that means I am doing the right thing.

Tomorrow is Monday. I have Block in the morning 9-12 go to gC 1 -10. I have to figure out how to sign up for the last class that I need at the block and call the guy about the bookkeeping job in Dearborn.

Should be interesting.

Confusion

Hmmm, pretty interesting reading through this blog of mine.

Can’t find an accounting job so I go decide I want to work at Guitar Center, I get a job at Guitar Center and realize I want an accounting job.
Don’t get me wrong, Guitar Center is a cool place to work. However, not a cool place to get paid. I am realizing I will not be able to pay my bills working at Guitar Center.

So, off to H&R Block I go. I went there the other day. It all seemed too easy. I went in, introduced myself, and they said ok. It didn’t appear that any that there will be any problems in me working there this tax season. I will have to take one class, the software update was recommended.

I know this is a temporary solution, however, it will get me by. I don’t think Guitar Center is going to be enough to get me by.

In other news, I have started doing some accounting for my Dad’s dealership. It has really helped my confidence. I bought a book on Quickbooks, and have been going through it little by little. Now that I have a real life example its pretty cool to realize I can do this accounting thing. I am realizing it’s a fear of the unknown, now that I have broken through to a small taste of “real accounting” its really nothing to be afraid of. Hopefully, after tax season, 6 months of bookkeeping experience on the resume will put me over the hump to get a job.

In the mean time, I am still applying for jobs online. It just seems so helpless. I have not been getting any responses like I did in the past. No emails, no phone calls. Who knows.

A New Plan

So I got a job.

Since I started I have only thought about when I will quit. I know this job is not for me. I just hope that it will get me through the holiday season.

Also, the more I work at Guitar Center I realize that everyone that I work with has mulitple sources of income. I do not. This is my chance to make some money. I have to take it. Although it is not "fair" to the sales people I am working with, I have to do what is right for me.

The new plan is just to hold out for Tax season. The plan is to go to H&R Block in January and leave sometime around April. When I thought about it, this is the best possible situation. The only reason I am where I am right now, is because the money made at H&R Block. If I work a TON, I can not go wrong.

So although it is only 4 days into the job, I really feel this is what I have to do.

The only thing is what happens April 16th.
Hopefully if this bookkeeping thing with my Dad works out, I can add that to my resume and everything will be great. That is what I am hoping for.

That is all for now, maybe it will all change next week. Who knows.

Got a job!

So I got a job.

I am working at Guitar Center.

I am extremely happy about this. It is like being a kid and working at Toy’s R Us. It doesn’t get much better.

The problem which I am trying not to concern myself with is this…

Money represents freedom in our society.
The more money you have, the freer you are to do whatever it is you want.

To get money, we make ourselves un-free. We bind ourselves, we enslave ourselves in the name of more money.

The cycle continues, and it seems that the more we enslave our selves, the more freedom we have.

Does this make sense?

To gain more freedom, we deprive ourselves of freedom.

The key here is to change the perspective of working. Going to work does not necessarily mean enslaving oneself.

The challenge is to find work that to you is not enslaving. The thing is, this is different for everyone.

The thing with me and work, is that I have never really enjoyed working. It has always been the sense of enslavement. The sign shop was fun on occasion, but also miserable at times. Moving Coors beer was fun on occasion but miserable at times. I guess regardless there will be good or bad.

The need here is for balance. How much money is it worth to enslave your self. If the job really sucks, then a lot of money. If the job is not that bad, then it might be less money. Regardless, I am happy to finally have the opportunity to give something my all. I want to do well at this. I want to say I gave it everything I had and this is what I got. I know starting something new is never an easy thing, but I am motivated to do this, and do it well, and give it everything. I think that will give me something I can feel good about.

The degree is nice, but I know I could have done better in school, I know I didn’t try my hardest or give it my all. Here is my opportunity to feel good about something I am doing, working at, and wanting to succeed at. Everything is looking up.